Our Tesla Model S Depreciation Analysis and Recommendations

The Tesla Model S does remarkably well for an alternative fuel vehicle, as most electrics and plug-in hybrids do terribly when it comes to maintaining their value. If you look at Tesla's depreciation curve, you will see that it loses a lot of value in the first two years, but flattens out significantly in later years. This can be a result of purchasers of new Teslas historically getting significant incentives from the government for buying an electric vehicle - at times as much as $7,500 upon purchase. If you buy one used, however, you don't get those incentives. All things considered, if you want a higher-end electric car, with performance, the Model S is tough to beat.

The 2018, 2017 & 2016 Tesla Model S model years are currently the best values.

On average, expect to pay only 63% of the original cost with 83% of the vehicle's lifetime remaining for a 2018 Model S. That gives it a Net Used Value® score of 20.18 which factors in annual maintenance costs, price decline, reliable years left and available inventory.

Also consider the 2017 & 2016 Model S model years. Those currently have a generally low risk of any significant depreciation over the next several years.

Own a 2018 Tesla Model S?

While we would advise holding onto this vehicle for a few years, that's not always the plan. Dealers have access to similar figures so they know that your vehicle has a low risk of depreciation.